What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity is:

The variety of all living things, including plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystems of which they form a part. It is not static, but is constantly changing. It is increased by genetic change and evolutionary processes and reduced by processes such as habitat degradation, population decline, and extinction.

— National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity (Department of Environment (then DEST) 1996)

Ecosystem Elements in Woollahra

Despite its small size, level of development and proximity to a major city, the Woollahra municipality contains a diverse range of ecosystem elements. Ecosystem elements and habitat types include:

Threatened and Vulnerable Species

Due to the range of habitat areas, and the sections of remnant native bushland, Woollahra provides feeding grounds, shelter, nesting and transport corridors for a range of threatened and vulnerable species.

Listed fauna species include:

Little Penguin (Eudalypta minor)

Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus)

Common (Eastern) Bentwing Bat

Southern Myotis (Myotis macropus)

Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua)

Common Scaly Foot (lizard) (pygopus lepidopodus)

Grey-headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

Greater Broad Nosed Bat (Scoteanax rueppellii)

New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novahollaniae)

Water-Rat (Hydromys chrysogaster)

Red Crowned Toadlet (Pseudophryne australis)

Seahorse (Syngnathidae) Hippocampus spp.

Listed flora species include:

Sunshine Wattle (Acacia terminalis subsp, terminalis)

Nielsen Park She-Oak (Allocasuarina portuensis)

Magenta Cherry (Syzigium paniculatum)

Posidonia Australis (Seagrass)

Why is biodiversity important?

Examples of how urban biodiversity can provide ecosystem services to the residents of Woollahra include:

Carbon sequestration

urban trees remove carbon dioxide from the air and act as a sink by storing carbon in their biomass

Air pollution removal

in particular ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide by large street trees and other vegetation

Biodiversity Conservation Strategy

In 2015 Council completed its Draft Woollahra Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2015-2025. This Strategy represents the first documentation of the strategic direction of Council to conserve the valuable flora and fauna within the Woollahra municipality.